Reorganization will provide annual cost savings of $876,000

At its monthly meeting held today at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) approved a proposed reorganization of the university‘s system level offices and functions. The reorganization will be accomplished with annual cost savings of approximately $876,000.

Proposed as a means to streamline the university‘s system level organizational structure while continuing to provide academic and administrative coordination to the autonomous campuses, the reorganization includes the elimination of three executive positions, creation of one executive position, and the abolishment of five positions. The organization creates direct lines of authority and provides for accountability at all levels. No additional resources or space will be required to implement the reorganization.

In other action, the BOR granted provisional approval for the establishment of the Applied Research Laboratory at UH Mānoa contingent upon the continuation of consultation with constituents and the negotiation of a multi-year omnibus sole source IDIQ cost reimbursement plus fixed fee contract with the U.S. Navy. The Applied Research Laboratory, also known as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), would be the fifth such university center designated by the Department of Defense as a Navy UARC.

The UARCs serve as nationally important and internationally renowned centers of excellence for critical Defense and Navy research, development and technical evaluation in science, technology and engineering. The mission of UARCs is also to provide innovative research and technology solutions for national security, economic competitiveness, and quality of life, and to contribute to the education, research, and service mission of the university.

The BOR also approved a one-year contract with Cassidy & Associates of Washington, D.C., for consultant services to assist UH in obtaining federal funding for new and continuing initiatives. The contract is effective January 1, 2005. Pursuant to the contract, Cassidy personnel will work closely with the university and the Hawaiʻi congressional delegation to identify and describe the university‘s needs, to match these needs with related federal priorities, to present all relevant details to the U.S. Congress, and to assist Hawaiʻi‘s Congressional delegates in guiding funding requests through complicated negotiations over several legislative sessions.

The issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of student housing at UH Mānoa and Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for the development of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaiʻi on the Kakaʻako waterfront and the University of HawaiʻióWest Oahu campus were also approved by the BOR. The RFP for the development of student housing would be for student housing at the current location of Frear and Johnson Halls and the International Gateway House on the UH Mānoa campus. With BOR approval, the RFP and RFQs will be issued once legal and procurement reviews have been completed.

In other UH Mānoa action items, the BOR also approved an extension of the provisional status of the Master of Education (MEd) program in Early Childhood Education in the College of Education at UH Mānoa from Fall 2004 to Spring 2007, and the inclusion of unclassified graduate students in the Graduate Student Organization (GSO) at UH Mānoa and an increase GSO student fees.

A number of lease agreements were approved by the BOR including: 1) a multi-year lease renewal with General Growth Properties, dba Victoria Ward Limited, for retail space at Ward Centre to continue operation of Rain.Bow.Tique; 2) an amended lease agreement with Front Street Affordable Housing Partners for a facility in Lahaina, Maui, the Lahaina Outreach Center, where Maui Community College offers credit, non-credit and summer session courses; and 3) a 12-year lease agreement with Maui Exposition allowing the company to lease 218,750 sq. ft. of outdoor space on the Maui CC campus to run a weekend swap meet operation.

The BOR also heard briefings from the UH administration on UH Mānoa flood recovery efforts. The administration acknowledged the numbers of individuals and organizations that have contributed to the recovery efforts, especially the university faculty and staff affected by the floods. Cleanup and recovery efforts continue around the UH Mānoa campus and reconstruction of damaged areas may begin shortly.

Officials are still determining the amount of damages and losses caused by the floods as well as the effect on research and intellectual property. The university‘s insurance policy allows for $25 million in coverage, and it is anticipated the total amount of damages will exceed that limit. The university expects that it will request support and a special appropriation from the Legislature in the event that damages exceed $25 million.